An Unplanned Trip to the Alps: A Campervan Weekend at Lakes Traunsee and Attersee

Do you know that feeling when you slam your laptop shut on Friday afternoon, close the door behind you, toss your swimsuit into a bag, slip into flip-flops, inflate your paddleboard, and simply drive wherever the road takes you? That is exactly what our last weekend looked like. No grand plans, no booking months in advance. Just the pure freedom of exploring Austrian lakes from the comfort of a “home” on four wheels—and, of course, a fridge packed with delicious food.

This time, we swapped standard motel stays for a major travel upgrade. As part of a collaboration, we were hooked up with an awesome, fully equipped campervan for the weekend from CBH Logistic. Picking it up was a breeze, so by Friday evening, with huge smiles and a backpack bursting with our tech gadgets, we hit the road toward the Austrian Alps.Our destination?

The Salzkammergut region (Lake District) and its turquoise gems—Lakes Traunsee and Attersee. Heading to one of Austria’s most stunning areas at the start of the season without a reservation is a bit of a gamble, but that is just how we roll. Things always work out somehow. And we got incredibly lucky! For two nights, our sanctuary was the town of Traunkirchen, nestled right on the shore of the deep Lake Traunsee.

We set up camp at the family-run Strandcamping Traunkirchen. If you love campsites where you can jump straight from a pier into the pleasantly refreshing blue water right after waking up, you absolutely need to add this place to your bucket list. The campsite is on the smaller side, but I was surprised by how many vehicles managed to fit in. Still, that view of the iconic cliff and the Traunstein mountain massif is absolutely priceless. Plus, morning coffee brewed in our campervan tasted at least one level better with a panorama like that.

We paid a total of €70 per night for 4 people, which included parking, electricity, and access to the toilets and showers—an excellent price in our book. The campsite gives you direct access to the lake, and the facilities are very decent. The toilets and showers were clean, and they even cleaned them several times a day. On top of that, there is an option to get breakfast, and they have draft beer! Simply paradise.

One of the best things about the campervan was that we always had our entire setup right there with us. No hunting for restaurants or spending a fortune eating out (though it is always nice to take a break from cooking once in a while). We cooked directly in the van, making everything from scrambled eggs in the morning to quick veggie salads. And, of course, summer just wouldn't be complete without grilling. Sitting under the awning, cracking open a cold can, and just daydreaming, relaxing, and unplugging your mind is absolutely priceless. You have everything within arm's reach, you can go for a swim whenever you feel like it—honestly, it’s addictive.

For this trip, we weren’t just equipped with a great campervan, but also with awesome accessories from Fusakle.cz/sk. They hooked us up with a massive bundle of colorful joy—ranging from cheerful functional socks (which kept us completely blister-free) to a cool cap and a multi-functional scarf that quickly became a huge favorite.

The company NEIBO also hooked us up with some excellent sunglasses.

So, these pieces definitely got a proper workout over the weekend and passed the test with flying colors! On top of that, all these accessories look amazing in photos, don't you agree? Plus, the sunglasses come with a case containing both a cleaning cloth for the lenses and a practical pouch. The case also features a loop, so you can easily hang your glasses on your backpack.And what did we actually do all day? We hauled out all the sports gear, which easily fit into the campervan's "garage" storage space without a single problem.

The lakes in the Salzkammergut region are practically made for paddleboarding. Heading out in the morning, when a light mist still floats over the surface of Lake Traunsee and the water is as calm as a mirror, is pure meditation. You feel absolutely tiny paddling beneath those massive cliff faces.

If you are drawn more toward the peaks, both lakes are surrounded by hiking trails of all difficulty levels. You can try the famous Attersee Klettersteig via ferrata, which offers absolutely divine views.

Is it worth going? Absolutely. The Alps are incredibly popular, pretty much in every season. And they showed us that the best experiences happen when you don’t overplan things. Thanks to the freedom our campervan gave us, it was an unforgettable weekend filled with sunshine, sports, and waterfront beauty.

If you are also thinking about trying out the campervan lifestyle, don’t be afraid to go for it. Pack your bags, rent a four-wheeled partner, and head toward Austria or wherever else your heart desires. You will come back tired, but with a clear mind and a mountain of unforgettable memories.